How I Realized my Experiences were a Reflection of my Ambitions by Anaya

How I Realized my Experiences were a Reflection of my Ambitions by Anaya - April 2025 Scholarship Essay

Since I was young, I’ve been drawn to helping others, through small acts of kindness or larger efforts like community service. This passion has always been a reflection of my want to help others. It is also part of the reason I'd like to continue my ambition of becoming a neurosurgeon. At the University of Illinois at Chicago I plan on pursuing a degree in biochemistry on the pre-med track to reach my goal. My course choices, watching my mom fight cancer while caring for me, and certain community service projects, has influenced my desire to go into medicine. My moms strength and resilience taught me not only compassion, but also the importance of valuing life and not letting time go to waste. My AP Psychology class showed me where in the medical field that my interest lies. Community service taught me to help others because you never know what someone is going through. These things have all shaped who I am and who I want to be.

Through community service, I discovered just how much I love helping others, not for recognition, but because it genuinely makes me feel happy. Whether it’s helping someone with their gardening when they physically couldn’t or handing out food at a drive, I find joy in seeing others smile. These experiences didn’t just strengthen my sense of compassion, they taught me the importance of service, which is a core value in the medical field. In my AP Psychology class, I found myself especially drawn to the unit on the brain. I’m not one for memorization, which is what the class mainly consisted of, but something about the topic of the brain stuck with me. I even started doing my own research outside of class. My teacher always expected me to walk in with a new question each day. This research pushed me deeper into the field of neuroscience. What really solidified my path was my mom’s fight with cancer. It was the scariest time of my life. My after school routine changed from going to my room everyday to sitting by her side, researching everything I could about cancer. That period was overwhelming, but it gave me clarity. I want to focus on cancer removal in the brain. It also reminded me that time with family is important. These moments, of volunteer work and personal loss, showed how much I value healing, learning, and giving, and they’re exactly what pushed me toward medicine and neurosurgery. My mother is still with me today, and till this day those values still lie in me.

My goal is clear, I want to become a neurosurgeon, specializing in tumor removal and working toward a future where cancer no longer has the hold it does on so many families. At the University of Illinois at Chicago, I’m excited to pursue my degree in biochemistry on the pre-med track, knowing that it will set me up for the medical training ahead. I'd like to use my education not only to become a doctor but also to contribute to the research and development of cancer treatments. In the long term, I hope to work in a field where I can help impact the lives of patients. I am combining my love for science, compassion for others, and desire to make a difference. The Honors College at UIC is the perfect place for me to push my limits and continue growing as a student and a future healthcare professional. With this scholarship, I will be closer to reaching my dream of healing and making a lasting impact in the medical field.